genesis-35:2-4

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 35:1-5

Here, I. God reminds Jacob of his vow at Beth-el, and sends him thither to perform it, Gen. 35:1. Jacob had said in the day of his distress, If I come again in peace, this stone shall be God's house, Gen. 28:22. God had performed his part of the bargain, and had given Jacob more than bread to eat and raiment to put on?he had got an estate, and had become two bands; but, it should seem, he had forgotten his vow, or at least had too long deferred the performance of it. Seven or eight years it... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:2

Then Jacob said unto his household ,.... His wives and children: and to all that were with him ; his menservants and maidservants, and such as remained with him of the captives of Shechem, who might choose to continue with him: put away the strange gods that are among you ; meaning not the teraphim or images of Laban's, which Rachel had stolen from him; for it can hardly be thought that these should be retained so many years in Jacob's family, and used in an idolatrous manner;... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:3

And let us arise and go up to Bethel ,.... Thus prepared and purged, their tents clear of idols, their bodies washed with pure water, and their garments new, neat, and clean; all symbolical of inward purity, and of freedom from idolatry and evil works, as became those who go to the house of God, and are his worshippers, see Hebrews 10:22 . I will make there an altar unto God ; as he has directed, and sacrifice to him, and worship him, and give the tenth unto him, and so make it a... read more

John Gill

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:4

They gave unto Jacob all the strange gods which were in their hands ,.... Whether in the hands of his servants or of the captives taken at Shechem, or in the hands of his sons, who had them along with the spoil they took there; so the Targum of Jonathan,"they delivered, into the hand of Jacob all the idols of the people which were in their hands, which they had took of the idols of Shechem:" and all their earrings which were in their ears ; not the earrings that women wore in... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:2

Put away the strange gods - הנכר אלהי elohey hannechar , the gods of the foreigners, which were among them. Jacob's servants were all Syrians, and no doubt were addicted less or more to idolatry and superstition. These gods might belong to them, or, as some have conjectured, they were the teraphim which Rachel stole; but these have already been supposed to be astrological tables, or something of this kind, called by Laban his gods, because by them he supposed he could predict future... read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:3

Answered me in the day of my distress - Not only when he fled from the face of his brother, but more particularly when he was in his greatest strait at the brook of Jabbok. read more

Adam Clarke

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:4

And - ear-rings which were in their ears - Whether these rings were in the ears of the gods, or in those of Jacob's family, we may rest assured that they were not mere ornaments, but served for superstitious purposes. Ear-rings were certainly worn as amulets and charms, first consecrated to some god, or formed under some constellation, on which magical characters and images were drawn. A very ancient and beautiful one of this kind brought from Egypt, cut out of a solid piece of cornelian,... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:2

Verse 2 2.Then Jacob said unto his household. The prompt obedience of Jacob is here described. For when he heard the voice of God, he neither doubted nor disputed with himself respecting what was necessary to be done: but, as he was commanded, he quickly prepared himself for his journey. But to show that he obeyed God, he not only collected his goods, but also purified his house from idols. For if we desire that God should be propitious to us, all hindrances are to be removed, which in any way... read more

John Calvin

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:4

Verse 4 4.And they gave unto Jacob. Though the holy man had his house in suitable subordination; yet as all yielded such prompt obedience to his command by casting away their idols, I doubt not that they were influenced by the fear of danger. Whence also we infer how important it is for us to be aroused from slumber by suffering. For we know how pertinacious and rebellious is superstition. If, in a peaceful and joyous state of affairs, Jacob had given any such command, the greater part of his... read more

Spence, H. D. M., etc.

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 35:1-2

Spiritual renovation. Spiritual life is a thing of growth; never finished here ( Philippians 3:13 ; Hebrews 6:1 ). No doubt the all-important question is, Art thou in Christ? And in every Christian life there is a point, known to God, when the soul passes from death to life ( 1 John 5:12 ). For by nature children of wrath. Still there is a life's work. The spirit may have chosen Christ; but the flesh is weak, and the law of sin still works. Most commonly in such a life certain times... read more

Matthew Henry's Complete Commentary - Genesis 35:1-5

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:2

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:3

John Gills Exposition of the Bible Commentary - Genesis 35:4

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:2

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:3

Adam Clarke's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:4

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:2

John Calvin's Commentary on the Bible - Genesis 35:4

The Pulpit Commentary - Genesis 35:1-2

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